Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a main body, a disc tray movable with respect to the main body between a loading position for loading an optical disc and an eject position, and a chassis on which a rotational drive mechanism for rotating a loaded optical disc is provided. The chassis is pivotally provided with respect to the main body about a pivotal axis near the rear end of the chassis so that the front end thereof can be displaced between a lowered position when the disc tray is ejected and a raised position for placing the optical disc on the rotational drive mechanism when rotating the optical disc. The disc drive prevents the chassis and/or the optical disc rotational drive mechanism from interfering or colliding with other elements of the disc drive.

Abstract: A guide shaft height adjustment mechanism (8) used in a disc drive includes: a chassis (43) comprised of a chassis base having a flat-plate shape and a hole; a guide shaft (77) for guiding an optical pick-up along a radial direction of an optical disc, the guide shaft having one end acting as a movable end and being mounted on the chassis base so that the movable end can be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the chassis base; an adjustment member (81) rotatably provided at the vicinity of the movable end of the guide shaft (77), the adjustment member (81) being formed by outsert molding at the position of the hole formed in the chassis base (43); and a biasing member (82) provided between the chassis base (43) and the guide shaft (77) at the vicinity of the adjustment member (81) for pushing the guide shaft (77) to a direction far away from the chassis (43).

Abstract: A film dressing for wounds and/or catheter sites and a method for applying such a dressing and a process for making the same are provided. Preferably, the film dressing has a substantially clear top layer. The top layer may be a moisture vapor semi-permeable film. The moisture vapor semi-permeable film may be coated with an adhesive and may cover a window cut out of a semi-permeable tape border having an adhesive layer and a hydrocolloid silver adhesive. The dressing may further have liners for use in the application of the dressing to a patient.

Abstract: A hair protection bag with a first opening and a method for using the same are provided. The hair protection bag may have an open perimeter, a band around the open perimeter and a first opening associated with the bag. The band may be detachably connected to the open perimeter using an adhesive. The first opening may have a fastening system associated therewith to fasten, un-fasten and/or re-fasten the bag. The hair protection bag may further have a second opening associated with the bag. The second opening may have a fastening system associated therewith to fasten, un-fasten and/or re-fasten the bag. A cotton band may be attached to the open perimeter of the bag to prevent treatment solution from leaking from the bag. The first opening associated with the bag may be, for example, a zipper or hook and loop fasteners. The second opening associated with the bag may be, for example, a zipper or hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compositions of biologically active agents containing less than 50% by weight of a low use rate agrochemical active and a dispersing agent, which exhibit enhanced bio-availability on dilution and application in water.

Abstract: A compacting device and a system and a method for compacting a material are provided. The compacting device may have a base and a column which extends from the base. A sleeve may be fitted and secured around the column. The sleeve may have a length which is greater than a length of the column. Material may be collected within the sleeve and may be used for compaction.

Abstract: A mailing assembly for use in connection with non-domestic delivery of a mailpiece wherein the sender of the mailpiece is required to complete a sender's declaration. The assembly includes a mailing form that may be sub-divided into customs declarations forms, a dispatch notice and a backing sheet. The backing sheet may be peeled off the mailing form exposing adhesive on the backing sheet. The backing sheet may be folded in such a way as to provide an envelope to adhere to the mailpiece to be non-domestically delivered. The customs declarations forms and, dispatch notice may then be inserted into the envelope whereupon the mailpiece may be non-domestically delivered. The customs declaration forms and dispatch notice of the mailing form may be variably printed with information to aid in the non-domestic delivery of the mailpiece.

Abstract: Illuminated eyewear and a method for illuminating eyewear are provided. The eyewear may have a bridge which is connected to arms at either side of the bridge. A lens may be connected to the bridge. Positioned between the lens and the bridge may be a light source. Light emitted from the light source may enter the lens and may be projected along an edge of the lens. The light may provide an outline of a shape of the lens, and may also provide a decorative display.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a device and a method for supplying conditioned air for heating and/or cooling to an aircraft. More specifically, the present invention provides a hose in a container and a retractor. The retractor may engage the hose and pull the hose from the container. The container may deliver the hose to the aircraft via the retractor. In addition, the retractor may also retract the hose into the container when the hose is not needed. Further, the retractor may be released from the hose and container, allowing the hose to be pulled manually from the container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a card adapter which can reliably isolate a slot provided in a personal computer and a card-shaped electronic device from a user. The card adapter 1 includes a chassis 10, a pair of conducting plates 70, 71 provided on the upper and lower sides of the chassis 10, and the like. The chassis 10 includes a pair of arms 17L, 17R, and the tip portions of the arms 17L, 17R are provided with a pair of insulating grip portions 18L, 18R, respectively, for insulating the pair of conducting plates 70, 71 from a user. According to such a structure, the card adapter 1 can prevent the possibility that static electricity charged in the body of a user is discharged to the slot or to the card-shaped electronic device connected to the card adapter 1 through conductive parts such as the conducting plates 70, 71 and the like so that electronic circuits provided in the card-shaped electronic device or in the slot are broken or damaged.

Abstract: A connector in which it is possible to prevent its contact from being disengaged or displaced from a groove of a contact holding member includes a shielding cover, a plurality of contacts (terminals) arranged inside the shielding cover, and a contact holding member for holding the contacts inside the shielding cover. The contact holding member is formed with a plurality of grooves, and each groove is formed with opposite protruding portions along its longitudinal direction for restricting the movement of the contact in a direction away from a bottom surface of the groove.

Abstract: A wireless lockout apparatus, a system and a method for using the same are provided for receiving wireless signals from individual transmitters. When a first signal has a code that matches a reference code in a decoder, the decoder locks out subsequent signals and only allows the first transmitted signal to be routed through the processor. The processor determines which contestant sent the signal by interpreting the coded signal and indicates audibly and/or visually to which contestant the signal corresponded. A master transmitter has a bonus button and a reset button. The bonus button indicates a bonus question condition in a particular game. The reset button unlocks the decoder and allows the system to receive contestants' signals transmitted wirelessly.

Abstract: An optical disc drive equipped with a TLN signal generating apparatus is disclosed. The TLN signal generating apparatus includes a TLN signal generating circuit for generating a TLN signal (track loss signal) based on signals obtained from an optical pick-up; a digitizing circuit for digitizing the TLN signal by comparing it with a reference level; and a correction circuit for correcting the TLN signal so that it is accurately digitized by the digitizing circuit irrespective of an offset component which is a direct current component contained in the TLN signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multimedia box network consisting of a data server comprising a mass storage device, on which digital pieces of music and/or videos are stored, and of a plurality of multimedia boxes, with one multimedia box in each case comprising an operating unit, a local storage device and a player unit, and with each multimedia box being connected to the data server by means of a first data link. To provide a high-performance network for multimedia boxes, which allows a decentralised servicing of the multimedia boxes, it is provided that at least one management station comprising a computer is connected to the data server by means of a second data link and to at least one multimedia box by means of a third data link.

Abstract: A cushion, a system of cushions, and a method for stacking cushions are provided. The cushion may have two sections or may be integrally formed. The cushion may have an opening within the lower section of the cushion to receive a portion of another cushion. When placed upon a second similarly structured cushion, a system of cushions results. The cushions may be stacked for the purposes of height manipulation, space conservation, or the like. The cushions may also be transported from one location to another by providing wheels on the cushion or by a dolly.

Abstract: A skew adjustment mechanism for an optical pick-up used in an optical disc drive is disclosed, in which the optical pick-up is freely movable in a radial direction of an optical disc along a guide rod for playing back or recording and playing back information recorded on the optical disc. The optical pick-up includes a pick-up base having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being slidably connected to the guide rod. The tangential skew adjustment mechanism includes a pick-up base displacement mechanism provided on the second end of the pick-up base for rotationally displacing the pick-up base about an axis of the guide rod.

Abstract: A form is provided for attaching portions thereof to a mailpiece for shipping of the mailpiece by a special service. The form consists of two special service designation sections. The sender may desire to send an article by one of the two special services. The form provides a choice for the sender with regard to the type of special service desired. Detachable parts are provided on a sheet for subsequent attachment to the mailpiece or shipping item following printing thereof. The form includes a number of adhesively backed label sections and a return postcard section for selective attachment to selected areas of a mailpiece or shipping item to identify the mailpiece or shipping item and simplify the task of designating special services for a particular mailpiece or shipping item. The form is designed so that information unique to the mailpiece, such as the identification of the sender and addressee and special handling requests, can be printed on one side of the form only.

Abstract: A compass assembly, a system and a method of using the compass assembly are provided. The compass assembly has a removable marking device attached to one of the legs. The other leg contains a retractable sleeve having a spring and engaging pin therein. In use, pressure is applied to the leg having the sleeve thereby pushing the engaging pin through a hole in the retractable sleeve thereby anchoring the compass and providing a point around which the compass may be spun. The marking device attached to the other leg of the compass may be removed to be changed, replaced or refilled. A marking device with various writing media, such as multiple colors or lead may be attached to the leg. Separate components of the compass may be distinctly colored to provide an instructional aid for using the compass.

Abstract: A system is provided for recording, storing and reproducing sound for playing back in an environment requiring simulated sounds, voices, and/or sound effects. Sounds are recorded on a chip and played back in an asynchronous manner from the chip as a result of activation of a switch or inertial movement within the system. A Hall-effect sensor, reed switch or momentary switch or the like may be implemented for enabling activation of the recorded sound from the chip for broadcasting. A compander compresses the sound on the chip and expands the compressed sound for playback. Employing the above system for audio storage, a sound, motor and special effects controller may be created for model train applications as well. The different functions of the sound unit are controlled through a discrete bi-polar digital command control signal using a unique address for each unit. A synchronous means of play back may also be employed when the system is used with the bi-polar signal using a sensor.